TennesseeHealth plans cannot require step therapy before cancer drug coverage
Starting January 1, 2027, plans that cover cancer and related conditions cannot require step therapy before covering approved drugs for enrollees diagnosed with cancer, except as provided by law.
What it does
For covered cancer care, health plans cannot require a person diagnosed with cancer to try other treatments through step therapy before covering an approved prescription drug, except as provided in subdivision (h)(3).
Argument forPeople diagnosed with cancer could get coverage for an approved drug without first trying other treatments through step therapy.
Argument againstPatients and plans may have less chance to see whether another treatment works before the plan covers an approved cancer drug.
More detail
Health plans that cover cancer and related conditions must not require step therapy before covering an approved prescription drug for an enrollee diagnosed with cancer. This applies to enrollees diagnosed with cancer under a plan that covers cancer and related conditions. Subdivision (h)(3) provides an exception, but its terms are not included here. This applies to policies or agreements entered into, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Pub. Ch. 995Latest
- May 26Effective date(s) 01/01/2027
- May 19Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 7Transmitted to Governor for his action.To Governor
- May 5Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 23Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.Minor
- Apr 20Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/20/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 20Passed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 3Passed Senate
- Apr 9Received from House, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Apr 6Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/6/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 6Passed H., Ayes 90, Nays 1, PNV 4Passed House
- Apr 6Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.Minor
- Apr 2H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/6/2026
- Vote recorded HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE: H. Placed on Consent Calendar 4/2/2026. Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 1Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/2/2026
- Mar 30Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee 3/30/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25Placed on cal. Government Operations Committee for 3/30/2026
- Mar 24Rec. for pass; ref to Government Operations CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE INSURANCE COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Government Operations Committee 3/24/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 23Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 18Placed on cal. Insurance Committee for 3/24/2026
- Mar 17Action def. in Insurance Committee to 3/24/2026
- Mar 16Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 11Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Insurance CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded INSURANCE SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Insurance Committee 3/11/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11Placed on cal. Insurance Committee for 3/17/2026
- Mar 11Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 4Action Def. in s/c Insurance Subcommittee to 3/11/2026
- Mar 4Placed on s/c cal Insurance Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
- Feb 25Placed on s/c cal Insurance Subcommittee for 3/4/2026
- Feb 4P2C, ref. to Insurance Committee - Government Operations for ReviewMinor
- Feb 4Assigned to s/c Insurance SubcommitteeMinor
- Feb 2Intro., P1C.Minor
- Jan 22Filed for introductionIntroduced
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